Have you seen a beautiful ship on the spire of the Admiralty in St. Petersburg, and an angel on the Peter and Paul Cathedral? Almost everyone used to install a weather vane on the roof, moreover, in the form of various figures that decorated the building, talked about its direct purpose, and distinguished it from the total number of houses.
You can install a weather vane on the roof with your own hands. To do this, just decide on the image on it, order or purchase in a store and find the highest point on the roof of your house, where to firmly fix the rod on which your beauty will rotate.
And besides the design hip roof, the weather vane also has a useful function, protecting the chimney from blowing out.
The main function of a weather vane is to determine the direction and speed of the wind.For the first time in this concept, according to Russian written sources, it appeared as a "flugel" in the maritime charter back in the 18th century.
On ships, with its help, they learned the direction of the wind and measured its strength, and, once home, the sailors installed a weather vane on the roof of their homes to determine the direction of the wind.
Weathercocks on the roof subsequently began to be used not only for its intended purpose, but also for beauty or to indicate the profession that the residents of the house were engaged in.
The most popular at different times were weathervanes depicting a rooster, because it was believed that it was installed on such a structure as gable standard roof, repels evil force, thieves and protects from fires.
Many installed figurines of other animals and birds:
- storks as a symbol of a new and happy life;
- griffins, symbolizing power and prosperity;
- cows and horses, contributing to a friendly life.

The rich and noble ordered weathercocks in the form of family coats of arms and flags. Craftsmen and craftsmen - in the form of objects that speak about the nature of their activity, for example, a shoemaker could fix a weather vane in the form of a boot on the roof or pediment of a building, a master sewing hats or dresses, respectively, his attribute, a baker - his own.
And then from afar it was possible to see the necessary house. Subsequently, weathercocks for many become a talisman and are installed everywhere.
But for it to become such, it must be made correctly and installed professionally. .
Now the tradition is returning to highlight your home, moreover, with the help of the color of the roof, towers, attics, balusters, ladders, including attaching a beautiful forged weather vane to it, which will be visible from afar.
It can be ordered at the blacksmith workshop, where they will make you individually to order exactly what you want, you can purchase it in the store.
Due to the fact that many are now building their homes, the weather vane can be presented as a housewarming gift to decorate not only the house, but also such a design as gable roof, which can eventually become a family talisman.
The main components of the weather vane:
- The rack on which it is attached very firmly to the roof of the house,
- Rose of Wind,
- Wind vane, the part that rotates.

If at first the origin of the weather vane was made of wood, then over time, blacksmiths took up the manufacture of such decorations and made them from metal.
Roof weather vanes forged from a metal sheet last much longer and are much lighter, therefore, it will be easy for them to rotate, because they feel even the slightest breeze.
Very often, weather vanes, but with propellers, are used in gardens to scare away moles and shrews so that they do not undermine the roots of plants.
When the propeller rotates from the wind, there is a vibration on the ground, which animals do not like - rodents, and they leave the area. And the plants stay intact.
With the help of such a device, weather services predict the weather and its changes, but basically, these weathercocks now play a decorative role.
Advice! A weather vane on the roof of a garden house will be a great gift for your friends, besides, it will emphasize the individuality of the house, show the passions and hobbies of its inhabitants, the completeness of the interior, home improvement and, of course, always tell the direction of the wind.
Now they are made in different sizes, shapes and designs. It can be a dragon with its tail showing the direction of the wind, or some sign of the zodiac, but the main thing is that the weather vane is a highly artistic forging that requires certain efforts, skills, and, of course, a creative approach.
There are many companies that manufacture these decorative products, where you can see a catalog with their image, and professional consultants will definitely help you choose the right weathercocks on the roof.
Designers will create the desired sketch if there is no suitable option in the catalog.
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